From January 28 to 30, the 12th IMRC 2025, organized by MRAI, was held in Jaipur, India. This sixth on-site report introduces four of India’s top lead smelting manufacturers, collectively known as India's LEADers: Pilot Industries, Pondy Oxides & Chemicals Ltd., Chloride Metals Ltd., and NILE Limited.

 

 

Pilot Industries Ltd: A Legacy of Excellence

 

For over 50 years, the name Pilot Industries Ltd. has been synonymous with premium batteries (under the brand name "Leader"), battery plates, lead, and lead alloys in India. The company has upheld exceptionally high standards of quality and reliability, driven by its belief in delivering truly world-class products. In other words, Pilot Industries is a vertically integrated organization that operates as a lead recycler, smelter, and battery manufacturer.

 

 

Founded in 1969 by the visionary Shri Dwarka Prasad Agarwal (Chairman), who had just graduated from the University of Calcutta, Pilot Industries began as a trader of battery components and raw materials. With innovative ideas and modernization, his two sons, Sanjeev Aggarwal (MD) and Sandeep Aggarwal (EMD), brought expertise that propelled the group to new heights. Today, Pilot Group is recognized as one of India’s most dynamic and forward-thinking enterprises.

 

We interviewed Nikunj Aggarwal, CEO of this historic lead smelting company.

 

 

Currently, the company operates India's largest waste battery processing facility, handling over 20,000 tons of lead batteries per month at two domestic plants and producing 10,000 tons of lead alloys. These alloys are used in their own lead battery products. They also frequently import bullion from Japan, while waste batteries are mainly sourced from Africa and the Middle East. China serves as a primary market for their bullion sales. The company also has plans to further expand production.

 

Proof of Trust: The Licenses Held by Pilot Industries

 

 

Before meeting with Pilot Industries, we spoke with L. Pugazhenthy (Pug), President of ILZDA (India Lead Zinc Development Association), who recommended the following top Indian LEADers:

1. Gravita India Ltd.

2. Chloride Metals Ltd.

3. NILE Limited

4. Pondy Oxides & Chemicals Ltd.

 

Although Pilot Industries was not among Pug’s recommendations, he praised it as a “great company.”

 

 

 

Chloride Metals Ltd: A Subsidiary of EXIDE

 

As stated on its official website, Chloride Metals Ltd. is a 100% subsidiary of EXIDE (USA) and India’s largest lead battery manufacturer, as well as a lead smelter. Like Pilot Industries, it operates as a vertically integrated organization, but on a larger scale, producing 140,000 tons of lead alloys annually.

 

 

 

NILE Limited: Excellence in Secondary Lead Production

 

NILE Limited is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company engaged in the secondary production of pure lead and lead alloys.

 

The company has two secondary lead recycling plants in Choutuppal (60 km from Hyderabad) and Tirupati (120 km from Chennai), with a combined annual production capacity of 107,000 tons of lead and lead alloys.

 

Additionally, NILE has established India’s first lithium-ion battery recycling facility through its 100% subsidiary, Nile Li-Cycle.

 

 

 

Pondy Oxides & Chemicals Ltd. (POCL): A Pioneer in Lead Alloy Production

 

Founded in 1995, Pondy Oxides & Chemicals Ltd. (POCL) is India’s largest secondary lead producer and a pioneer in lead alloys. The company has built a reputation for quality, efficiency, and reliability, continuously adopting new technologies and process improvements to achieve operational excellence. Its strong R&D capabilities play a crucial role in developing new products and processes, keeping pace with dynamic market trends.

 

The company’s recycling capabilities, dedicated workforce, and competent management have been key drivers behind its vision to become one of the most valuable entities in the metal and non-metal recycling industry. POCL is also expanding its portfolio beyond non-ferrous metals to include plastics.

 

We spoke with VAIDHYANATHAN R.S., Executive Director of POCL.

 

 

POCL’s 3N7 and 99.985% lead ingots are the first in India to be registered as LME brands. The company’s Chennai plant currently produces 10,000 tons of lead alloys per month, and with a new plant coming online this year, production is expected to increase to 17,000 tons per month. This means they will require nearly 30,000 tons of lead battery scrap per month, up from the current 20,000 tons.

 

While they previously relied heavily on imports for scrap supply, domestic sources, including discarded batteries from cars, motorcycles, three-wheelers, and UPS systems, now make up a growing share.

 

Given the frequent power outages in India, the demand for UPS systems remains strong. The rise of data centers is further boosting the demand for lead batteries, ensuring a steady need for lead and a continuous supply of scrap from batteries, pipes, and cables.

 

POCL also supplies lead ingots to Japan’s GS Yuasa and Energywith.

 

When asked if Chinese companies have entered India’s lead smelting industry, we were told: 

“The Indian government does not easily grant licenses to foreign companies, particularly those from the Ministry of Environment and Forests. While some Chinese companies attempted to enter the market, they soon withdrew.”

 

 

(IRuniverse Tanamachi, Lin)

 

 

Related articles